The state should continue amending legislation to facilitate the adoption process and for the rights and duties of those involved to be safeguarded, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said this morning.

In an homily during a concelebrated Mass at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary, held to celebrate World Life Day being celebrated today, Mgr Grech described adoption and fostering as heroic acts.

Mgr Grech said that there were babies who were not lucky enough to be born within a loving family but fortunately many families were willing to adopt these children.

Adoption was an exemplary generous act and it was authentic when the a family adopted a child not to satisfy their need but to help the child.

There were also families who fostered children, including about 17 in Gozo. In a sense, fostering was a sign of bigger love than adoption, because while the adopted child legally became part of the family, families who fostered knew that a child was being placed in their care temporarily.

Both adoptions and fostering were a heroic expression of Christian charity and a way how the Christian family could spread evangelism.

He appealed to society to continue showing this hospitality, giving people considering abortion another option.

The event was organised by Dar Ġużeppa Debono.